Green Household Tip of the Day: Preventing Silver Tarnish

Finally putting the silver away from our Christmas dinner and thinking about why I don't use it more often. The truth is simple -who has time to re-polish the silver every time you take it out? It seems it is always a little tarnished even though it is stored in protective cloths. A friend shared a tip with me and I will share it here and add a little tip of my own:

To prevent tarnishing of your silver between uses: A small piece of broken chalk placed in a silver chest will very slowly absorb moisture from the air to slow tarnishing.

This one is so easy and definitely worth a try. If you don't have chalk around the house, it is readily available with the school supplies or craft supplies almost anywhere. Put the remaining chalk to good use in other ways like a chalk board family message board instead of paper and pen to communicate to other family members if you have a busy "come and go" household.

Nature-inspired Holiday Joy: The Sounds of Windchimes

As the holidays wind down, I reflect on my favorite memories this year. When we were at my sister's home for a family gathering on Christmas Day, fireworks began to go off from a nearby neighbor's yard. (they live out of the city limits, the perfect setting for some folks who like to shoot off fireworks as part of their Christmas celebration) My son, 4 years old, called everyone to rush outside to see the show. It was short-lived, but as it ended we experienced the real treat. A quiet breeze set off a soft, melodious chorus of windchimes which are hung along the porch and among the trees in my sister's back yard. My son has always been attracted to her windchime collection. The first time he noticed them, when he was about 2, and ever since then, he enjoys going from one to the next to "make music" until he has played every one! That night, though, stopped us just to listen and enjoy the peaceful music coming from all around us. That moment of peace and harmony shared with my little guy was one of the greatest gifts of the season. His joy in the music of windchimes continues to inspire me.

A Musical Mobile in a Child's Room - Bringing the Outside In

Another inspiration born of childlike wonder....When my preschooler saw this bright colored spiral glass wind chime, he insisted on having it in his room. I thought it would be a passing fancy, but not so. He regularly runs over to open and close the closet door near the hanging chime to create enough breeze to have it play its twinkling music. Just today, he stood up on his bed again, reached for it and beamed at the musical sounds it created as he ran waved his hand through it. It is like his own little musical mobile. Isn't it wonderful to be reminded of the joy that can be derived from such a simple pleasure?